Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council
Fiscal Year 2027 Project Applications

The District One NRAC received four (4) applications for funding through Fiscal Year 2027 of the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program. In total, these applicants are requesting $4,574,309 to fund a variety of projects including greenspace acquisition, coastal riparian corridor enhancements, and approved site restoration and improvements. District One has approximately $3,225,000 in funding.

map of Clean Ohio Fiscal Year 2027 project applications

Bay Village, Cahoon Creek Coastal Riparian Corridor Enhancement Project
Total Project Cost: $3,920,812
Clean Ohio Request: $1,761,770

Cahoon Creek
Photo courtesy of the city of Bay Village

The Cahoon Creek Coastal Riparian Corridor Enhancement Project would address severe erosion and habitat degradation and the Cahoon Creek-Frontal Lake Erie. Using nature-based solutions, the project would stabilize approximately 700 feet of eroding Lake Erie shoreline and 400 feet of the Cahoon Creek riparian corridor. Work includes bluff regrading, in-stream habitat creation, and planting native vegetation to improve water quality and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife. The project also proposes new, inclusive public access where it is currently limited and unsafe.

Cleveland Metroparks, West Creek Reservation Expansion and Preservation
Total Project Cost: $738,295
Clean Ohio Request: $553,721

The West Creek Reservation Expansion and Preservation Project would acquire and permanently preserve ±2.2 acres adjacent to its West Creek Reservation in the City of Parma. The property is bordered by West Creek Reservation to the west and south. A significant portion of the property is forested and adds to the already protected forested areas of the reservation. The acquisition of this corner parcel provides the opportunity to restore the property to create a more welcoming entrance to the reservation. Restoration activities would include removal of the existing gravel and impervious surfaces on the property and invasive plant management.

West Creek Conservancy, Irishtown Bend Park Improvements
Total Project Cost: $2,487,050
Clean Ohio Request: $1,243,525

Irishtown Bend
Photo courtesy of the West Creek Conservancy

Irishtown Bend Park borders the Cuyahoga River in the City of Cleveland and was created with the assistance of funding through previous rounds of the Clean Ohio Program.  Proposed amenities on the site include: an entry plaza, picnic grove, grill garden, accessible playground, maritime theatre, riverwalk, and event lawn. An Irish Heritage Site and a plaza with restored coal dock remnants will celebrate the cultural and civic history of the site. The park will honor the past and create a sustainable environment for the future. Funds from the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Fund are requested toward the Irish Heritage Site and the event lawn and picnic grove components of the project.

Cleveland Metroparks, Land Preservation in the East Branch Rocky River Watershed
Total Project Cost: $1,353,725
Clean Ohio Request: $1,015,293

Cleveland Metroparks seeks to acquire and permanently preserve ±51.8 acres adjacent to its Mill Stream Run Reservation in the City of North Royalton in the East Branch Rocky River watershed. The property contains approximately 3,800 lineal feet of the East Branch Rocky River and ±7.29 acres of Category 2 wetlands which support species including Mallard and Wood Duck. Forested areas on the property are largely dominated by mature floodplain species and several small pawpaw stands as well as species of plants that are of local/regional conservation interest or considered regionally rare species.